Full Breakdown
David Chase Announces “Project: MKUltra,” a Dual TV-Film Exploration of the CIA’s Cold-War Mind-Control Program
7/10/2026, 1:46:01 PM
Core Announcement at Karlovy Vary
At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic (July 8-11, 2026), Emmy-winning creator David Chase revealed that he is developing Project: MKUltra, a limited series for HBO that will also spawn a feature-film adaptation. The project adapts John Lisle’s nonfiction work *Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKULTRA* and centers on CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb—often called “The Black Sorcerer”—who oversaw the agency’s psychedelic experiments on willing and unwilling subjects during the 1950s-60s. Chase’s production company, Riverain Pictures, holds a first-look deal with HBO, and the network has already committed to purchase the television component.
Background & Context
After the 1999-2007 run of *The Sopranos*, Chase spent years pitching original ideas that “nobody bought.” A stalled HBO project and the 2021 prequel film *The Many Saints of Newark*—which he later called a mistake because the character Dickie Moltisanti was omitted—left him “unlucky” in the traditional studio system. The prequel’s modest $13 million box-office return contrasted with its later streaming success on HBO Max, reinforcing Chase’s belief that “creative freedom” thrives on premium-cable platforms rather than network television.
Key Figures & Groups
- David Chase – Creator, writer, and producer; also the series’ showrunner.
- HBO – Cable network financing the limited series; represented by executives Casey Bloys and Francesca Orsi.
- Riverain Pictures – Chase’s production company, holder of the first-look deal.
- Sidney Gottlieb – CIA chemist and architect of MK-Ultra, the historical focus of the drama.
- John Lisle – Author of the source book.
Data & Statistics
- Chase cites a historic ? 6 % profit margin in the motion-picture business, from the silent era to the present, arguing that risk-averse financing is ill-suited to ambitious storytelling.
- *The Many Saints of Newark* earned $13 million at the box office but generated renewed viewership for *The Sopranos* on streaming platforms.
- *The Sopranos* amassed 21 Emmys and two Peabody Awards during its six-season run.
Why It Matters
Chase frames *Project: MKUltra* as both a “dramatic thriller” and a personal reckoning with his own LSD experiences, noting that the drug “changed my life” and that the CIA’s attempt to weaponize it “wasn’t a weapon at all, it’s a spiritual experience.” The dual-format approach—television series plus feature film—reflects his desire to explore the story’s breadth while navigating modern financing constraints. Moreover, his comments about “greed and fear” driving Hollywood echo broader concerns about creative risk and potential political censorship under the current administration.
Official Statements & Responses
Chase explained that after five years of drafting a film script, HBO’s enthusiasm at the pitching stage prompted him to split the narrative across TV and film, a move he described as unprecedented in his career. He emphasized that HBO granted him “total creative freedom” to remain “honest to the subject matter.” The feature film currently lacks a distributor; Chase indicated he will “make the movie and then try to find one.” HBO’s executives, while not quoted directly, have signaled commitment by acquiring the television rights under the existing first-look agreement.
Criticism & Opposition
During the festival Q&A, Chase warned that political pressures could soon impose a modern-day “Hays Code.” He said, “Since Trump, I’ve been concerned it’s only a little big or a hop, skip and a jump up to censorship,” expressing apprehension that artists might be “told you can’t say that, and you can’t do that.” No external critics were cited, but his remarks highlight industry anxiety about governmental influence on creative content.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Distribution status: The television component is secured by HBO, yet the feature film “does not have a distributor attached,” leaving its release path uncertain.
- Motivation for LSD focus: Chase attributes his interest to personal experimentation (“I took LSD eight or nine times”), but no independent verification of his experiences is provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Well, I wrote a lot of things, and nobody bought them,” — David Chase
- “I’m not a businessman, but the profit margins in the motion picture business have always been around 6%, from the silent era to the present day, so I’m not sure why anyone would get into that business if you’re afraid of taking risks. You’re better off selling running shoes,” — David Chase
- “Christopher McQuarrie wrote The Usual Suspects, and he left the Town for a long time, and he said the whole thing is run by only two things, greed and fear, and he’s absolutely right,” — David Chase
- “Since Trump, I’ve been concerned it’s only a little big or a hop, skip and a jump up to censorship,” — David Chase
- “Well, most likely because I took LSD when I was younger.” — David Chase
What’s Next
Chase indicated that production on both the series and the film is underway, with HBO slated to begin development on the limited series imminently. No specific release dates were announced, but the dual-format project is expected to move forward as soon as the feature secures distribution.
